R1201

American Folk Art

Lacemaking -Squash Blossoms, Floral Design,  Floral Lace, Dogwood Blossoms

Collins Cover Announcement 

LACEMAKING

The idea was good, the schedule was kept, but the twin gremlins of a poor quality Unofficial cancel and the glossy surface of the new stamps combine to flaw the appearance of this offering. Nevertheless, it does have a fine cachet and the readable First Day cancel from First Day City Ypsilanti makes it worthy. Also, it will be necessary for COLLINS collections. In spite of the terrible quality of the Unofficial cancel, I do personally like the over-all appearance of the cover.

The hand-painted cachet shows a lacemaker engrossed in her task. Multi-colored bobbins are her main tool as she works on her lace. In the near background, a lacy curtain provides the perfect setting for the skilled artisan.

This issue included four Lacemaking stamps. Two of them are canceled officially at Ypsilanti, Michigan. From Michigan it was southward to the Unofficial city of Chantilly, Virginia. It was chosen because its namesake in France is famous for lacemaking, and there is actually Chantilly lace.

Unfortunately, the cancel device was not very good. The name Chantilly is distinguishable because part of it is on the cover. All letters and numbers on the shiny stamps themselves are virtually unreadable, and this includes the date. If this is not acceptable to you, please do not order this cover. Working in the field on First Day, conditions like this do occur. It's unfortunate, but that's the price for the spice of realism in Unofficial cancels. I can tell you that the stamps did indeed travel from Ypsilanti to Chantilly on the Day of Issue and that the two remaining stamps were canceled there on First Day. Accordingly, I know that they will be considered to be true Unofficial cancels with very poor quality postmarks.

The hand-painted cachet is very nice, and the Official cancel is good. A fancy lettering style is used with lace-like patterns painted in blue to complement the color of the stamps.

A nice cover with an unreadable Unofficial date -- your decision. Item #R1201 - $8.00.